1
PANDORA
The curse sank deeper into my veins, numbing parts of me I never knew could ache with such abysmal hollowness. Being cursed was far more insidious than being infected by dark magic. It felt as if every fragment of my soul was fracturing, my magical essence just beyond my grasp.
Wasthishow Nebula felt?
Sybil cursed him with dark magic—forcefully bonding his soul to his skull. Did he feel as empty as I did right now?
If so, it was a far crueler reality than I’d ever thought he was suffering in.
This feeling…I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Except Sybil Shaw.
“You really went and jumped headfirst into a curse, huh?” Drecken Grimsworn's voice cut through the haze, laced with an almost disappointed humor.
I cracked open my eyes to meet his blue ones that swam into focus above me. There was the faintest smirk flickering on his lips, but it looked sad. He didn’t look as amused as he usually did.
Why was he here?
My mouth was dry, and each breath felt like sandpaper was being dragged over my lungs. The room spun, tilting around me as I blinked at Grimsworn sitting beside me.
Bright, vivid green hair came into focus—short and spiked in every direction. Flecks of energy sparked from his fingers, little flashes of teal and pink popping like tiny fireworks, matching the ebb and flow of his words as he spoke. “Didn’t your father teach you not to open letters from dark magic demons?”
Yes, actually.
He did tell me that.
I tried to answer him, but my throat closed up. All that came out was a pitiful rasp.
Grimsworn frowned, leaning closer. I could feel the pulse of his magic. It was a hum beneath the air between us—a warm, almost soothing contrast to the cold, empty ache spreading inside me.
“Back off,” Dex growled at Grimsworn. His hands trembled as he took a step forward into my line of vision. He looked like he wanted to pull me into his arms, away from the eccentric warlock representative of the Supernatural Council, and never let go.
I wanted that, too.
“Pandora,”Grimsworn scolded, his voice thick with dismay as he leaned back up to give me space. “I can call you that, right? Did you really have to go and get cursed? Your magic’s one of the strongest I’ve ever seen—this is just…it’s such a waste.” He tsked, shaking his head, little bursts of magical energy popping like frustrated sighs.
“A waste?” Dex’s growl shook the room.
Grimsworn waved him off. “We can fix this…probably.”
“Isn’t he delightful?” Nebula huffed from beside me.
A stabbing pain shot through my neck as I turned to see him. Relief swept through me. “Thank Fates you’re here, Nebula.”
Talkinghurt.
“I’m not happy, though. I should’ve stayed with you during dinner. Why did you open the letter?” he asked.
I shook my head as hot tears pricked at my eyes.I shouldn’t have opened the letter.I should’ve resisted the urge.
“It probably had an enchantment on it that made it almost impossible for you to ignore.” He sighed dramatically, but that actually did make sense. “From now on, I will stay with you. You will keep me in your bag again—like when you first entered the academy. Understand?”
I nodded.
“Here, starlight.” Hunter hovered the top of my enchanted bottle over my lips and tilted it back.
